Ali Al-Habsi has been confirmed as the latest ambassador for the 2015 SATUC Cup. We are delighted to announce Oman and Wigan goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi has been confirmed as the latest ambassador for the 2015 SATUC Cup.

Al-Habsi, a cult hero during his Premier League years for Bolton and Wigan (2007-2013), famously won the FA Cup with the latter in the memorable defeat of overwhelming favorites Man City in 2013.

He is famed for his penalty-saving prowess – the likes of Robin van Persie, Carlos Tevez, and Mikel Arteta are just a few of those who have been denied by the Omani stopper.

Other notable achievements include being voted Norwegian Goalkeeper of the Year in 2004 as well as being the first Omani to play professional football in Europe.

Al-Habsi has also appeared as Oman’s first-choice goalkeeper in four consecutive Gulf Cups, winning the award for best goalkeeper in each. His latest award came at the 2009 Gulf Cup, where Oman won the competition for the first time in their history and did so without conceding a single goal throughout the tournament.

Before becoming a professional footballer, Al-Habsi worked as a fireman in Muscat’s international airport and credits this profession with teaching him the values of patience, hard work, and bravery – all attributes which have made him so successful in his football career.

The Oman star is no stranger to charitable work as the co-founder of Safety First, a non-profit road safety organization in Oman that seeks to decrease car accident fatalities in the country.

SATUC is very excited to welcome Al-Habsi on board; he joins a stellar list of fellow footballers as tournament ambassadors in Egypt & Hull’s Ahmed Elmohamady, Egypt legends Ahmed Hassan & Nader El-Sayed, Shikabala and Honduras coach Jorge Luis Pinto – we are set to announce more exciting names in the coming weeks.